General Chat

Hi Everyone,it is dry but cold here again,but not cold enougth for more snow.This room is freezing and I have my socks and boots on alongwith a long sleeve top and cardigan.Don't think I will be here as long as I thought I would be. Could put the heating on but then when I go downstairs and start getting tyea ready etc it will be roasting.We keep saying we will have individual thermostats put in each room,my sister has them and says they are really good,and worth the money.Stocked the freezer with bread again today and some plain everyday meats like mince steak ,braising steak and chicken portions so should not have to shop until the end of next week!!!. going for a cffe to warm up now, glad you are all about even if only for a minute or two.Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, It looks like another dry day here, at the moment the sun is peeping through. Fred, I hope Liz is better now,we did manage to have a little bit of snow on Christmas day, about an inch, just enough for the kids to have snowball fights, they were scraping it off cars etc. Jude, I'm glad you had a good Christmas with your family, you did very well for presents. I got CDs and slippers and chocolates and smelly stuff, lots of body creams, I go through loads with my dry skin. well I suppose I had better get dressed now and ready to take Samantha to work. Last night she slept here, her mum and John had gone down to meet the rellies that had got in touch with them through Genes. Maybe see you later, take care everyone. Love June xx

Fred's celebrations got started a bit late Sylvia cause liz was in bed for a couple of days,with a touch of pneumonia and that tummy bug which slowed the antibiotics down a little ,but she is out of bed ,sitting in a chair and the grandson is home on leave ,so our party starts tomorrow.Snow ? who mentioned snow?,the only chance of a white Christmas up here in Newcastle is if we delay Christmas untill Feb ,or March ,and i don't think that would go down too well. Hope everyone has had a good time ,and that you all have enough energy left for the next one.have a great new year everyone.Fred.ptfg.

Evening all!!! l'm up here in me storeroom and its blooming freezing!!! We had a lovely christmas, got back yesterday having stayed at sons m.i.l since Friday. There was son,his wife,her mum,our daughter and partner,d.i.l brother his partner and their baby and of course MAD DOG MADOC!!! oh and their cat who is 18 and decided to try and put Madoc in his place,but he's so soft he kept coming back for more!! We had a spluttering of snow boxing day, which was lovely to see, but it soon went. Sons m.i.l cooked a lovely christmas dinns with all the trimmings,plus a prawn cocktail for starters - so much food l could'nt eat supper:o(( Some lovely pressies including a saphire stone on a silver chain from son and d.i.l - beautiful!! l have never had a present like that before.(Do any of you remember the present my hubby got me last yr??) They bought it in Sri Lanka in August on honeymoon - l was absolutely gobsmacked!! then the next day we here of the devestation in Sri Lanka!!!! Another lovely present was from my daughter - a set of ceramic paints, l can atlast paint on some tiles! and a lovely jacket from my hubby! Madoc had some treats - no toys yet l did'nt have time and l forgot today, will be in town tomorrow though, sister will be here its our charity shop session, we want to get our christmas cards for next yr in the sales:o)) l do hope everyone had a lovely christmas, seems as though you have. A very happy new year to you all and those who have'nt been on here for a while:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everyone, Just thought I would bring us back up to the top. I have been taking more photos of my Christmas ceramic lights and ornaments today, then putting them onto Webshots. I thought I had better take photos now because it takes so long packing them all away, without taking photos too. I haven't done much else, apart from taking Samantha to work and making meals. I think we should have a pill to feed us! lol Just think how much time and money we would save. On that note, I am going, See you tomorrow. Love June xx

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow! Yes, we had our first snow this morning, but it soon disappeared into rain. I was going to go out, but then changed my mind when I saw the weather. Perhaps tomorrow will be better. I didn't get up until 20 past 9 this morning. Mind you it was 1.30 am when I went to bed. It's so cosy in the sitting room with the Xmas tree and candles and there was a good televisie serie on our television. I ironed another 6 shirts this afternoon. Really strange this shirt business. I think another man has adopted me - if only to get his shirts ironed! I've frozen my last slices of turkey in. I couldn't face turkey any more. I had a nice piece of salmon today. I've written 8 letters between yesterday evening and now. I was so behind with letter writing. So pleased to hear that everybody has had a good Xmas. Haven't heard from Di or Fred yet. Perhaps they are bogged down with Xmas turkey! So it's almost a new year. I hate all the fireworks we get here. The kids seem to be throwing fireworks weeks before and weeks after the new year. The streets always look such a mess with the firework remains. I sound like a spoilsport, but really I'm just a coward. I've always been afraid of fireworks. See you all tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hi Lovely sunny day here today but quite cold. The cars were iced this morning and I imagine that the roads might have been bad earlier on as it rained then froze. by the time we went to Sainsbury's at 09.30 it was OK. Got there ahead of the crowds and stocked up for the family, over £100 and i already had some stuff. Still should be set for the six days now. it does make it more expensive buying meals to suit meat eaters, non meat eaters and vegetarians. (or as the little boy who lives next door to my son calls them vegetablearians.) Brenda, my son and Grandson are both avid Man City supporters. Don't ask me why, stephen was born in Hampshire, lived in Essex, Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire and now Milton Keynes and has no link whatsoever with Manchester, James of course follows his Dad. they both also support Gloucester Rugby. June, yes lots of funny little words that Sophie says to remember, although she does talk quite fluently for 2 years and 5 months. I was amazed when, after she had finished her meal she quite clearly said, "please may I leave table?" But, my goodness is she stubborn, if she says "no" when told or asked to do something it is a real battle of wills to make her do it. And her Mum wont give in either as she wont let her get her way, hich is a good thing but makes for a tense few minutes!! Not sure how much i will be able to get on here duringthe next few days as I lose my office when the boys come but i willc ertainly try. Love Ann glos

Doesn't time fly,we wait all year for christmas ,worry ourselves to death over all sorts of things ,then ,puff it;s been and gone!! I am on my own this afternoon,John has gone to meet some of his golfing pals and David is at the football (Man City). I have made the tea already ,a sort of Hash with some of the left over beef.Thats all the chicken finshed (made it into a chicken broth of sorts with dumplings, yesterday) and apart from two slices for a sandwich for John ,the beef as well. We went looking for a new bed this morning ,we went to the Pine furniture shop where we bought the other bedroom furniture from.The matching bed is on offer ,saving about 20%,so we are hoping to go back later in the week to buy one. We did not get it today as we wanted to take some measurements to make sure it will fit, Have a few emails to reply to and then a few things to iron like Johns work gear,ready for morning.See you all tomorrow. Take care,Brenda

nudge

Hi everyone, Well its dry here today, I will have to wait and see what the rest of the day turns out like. Last night, we went to see the Pantomime at Blackpool, I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was very good. The cast obviously enjoyed it too, the costumes were brilliant and the music was good. Afterwards, we went back to my niece's house for a drink and something to eat and a good conversation, it was very enjoyable. Sylvia, You sound as though you have had a good Christmas with your family around you. Ann, Isn't it lovely at Christmas with little ones around, you will be remembering the little phrases your granddaughter uses for years to come. I will go and have another cuppa now, then I have to take Sam to work again, Maybe I will pop back on later to see what the others have been up to. Love June xx

Hi everyone Just to let you know i am back from Milton Keynes. had a lovely time with son and family. Two year old Sophie very quickly got the hang of presents ("me present"). And 8 year old james had a whale of a time. they both had so many presents we couldn't see the lounge floor. Enjoyed some lovely meals, tried to not eat too much and failed. Son cooked both the turkey on christmas day and beef on boxing day, never thought I would see the day!!! Very frosty there yesterday and this morning so a carefuld rive back, lots of trafic and a lot of congestion just outseide Gloucester and Cheltenham where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the local hunt. now catching up with the boards and my e mails. And i can still hear that little voice saying "what doin nana?", bless her. Now looking forward to the other half of the family arriving on wednesday for New year. Hope everyone had a good christmas. Love Ann Glos

Monday, Monday, so I'm back. My son came on Xmas Eve and stayed until after dinner on Boxing Day, so I was busy waiting on him hand and foot - well, almost! He turned up in an old pair of trousers which were just about falling off him, patched and dirty, track shoes, and old windjack. He did have the nice pullover on which I bought him for his birthday in November. He said he had no time to buy a new pair of trousers - I'd sent him the money for them as well. The good windjack I'd repaired and made for him as new he "keeps when he is going somewhere special", were his words. He had an expensive bottle of red wine and two bottles of white dessert wine with him and a present for his father (a book). He couldn't find anything for me he said. Johan said that the book was an expensive one! He had 3 newspapers with him, all weekend editions, so very thick and expensive. He went off and left his newspapers behind never having read them! I had a pair of jeans which I don't wear and they fitted Adriaan so he has gone home in them. I was so scared he was going to pop out of his old trousers! My jeans were a bit short, but better than nothing. I couldn't see the difference in mens and womens jeans. Now you all know what he is like! He is always a kind, caring boy, now 48, so I don't mind, especially as he is my son. I cooked a turkey for Johan and I on Xmas Day and made goats cheese and cranberry filo tarts for Adriaan. I made a big pan of fresh asparagus soup on Xmas Eve, and bought an ice tart for sweet. Adriaan did eat baked potatoes and sprouts and salad I made. On Boxing Day Johan and I had turkey again which I covered in cranberry sauce and for Adriaan I had meatless balls in mushroom sauce and I made a trifle. I also made fresh tomato soup. Adriaan looked at this computer for us and pointed out several things to me. I had hoped our new computer would have been here for Xmas but it didn't come, but Adriaan has said he would come again and help with the installation. My youngest daughter and my son in law came on Xmas Day which was a nice surprise. They usually go off to Greece, but Susan said that the Xmas trips were so expensive this year that they decided against it. They love Greece and have been twice already this year. Susan is learning Greek - new Greek. I had a robin on my balcony this morning. The weather is very cold and bright. Lots of sun. Well, I've brought you up to date with my news, so I will say, see you tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, I hope you had a good Christmas, I have only just got back and I am off to see my Niece's daughter in an Ice Pantomime shortly then back to their house. This is the niece that I hadn't seen for 26 years, so am looking forward to it. I cant stay any longer but will definitely be on again tomorrow Love June xx

Hello Everyone,hope you all enjoyed your christmas,ours was really quiete,and I have had lots of cat naps in the armchair in between cooking a lovelly peice of top side and a very big chicken,and all the trimmings,put all the veg,Sprouts,carrots ,cauliflower etc in my steamer and what a difference it made, no juggling on the hob this year. Managed to leave the choccies alone up to now and the christmas pud and ice cream.Sorry to say I can not say the same about the cheese and crackers and other nibbles. We have been almost cheese less for a month or so, due to our diets but I got a little cheese board to gether for the holidays.It is noththing like what I would have got in the past ,but we will not miss what we don't have. Don't know when i will get back on as I am out tomorrow at my dads and my brothers ,then we have visitors in the evening.Enjoy the rest of the holiday Take care /Brenda

Just a nudge - no time now Sylvia xxx

Merry Christmas everyone! Great to see you again Elisabeth. Just got the last few presents to wrap and then load the coffee table up with chocolates and treats. Spent the day cooking mince pies, roast chestnuts, trifle and a big batch of ham and pea soup. We have rib eye roast tomorrow which will probably be cooked on the bbq rotisserie so that the oven's free for Yorkshire puds and roast potatoes and parsnips. I can feel the pounds going on already! It's crazy weather across the States right now. No snow here but Houston, Texas has some. They haven't seen snowflakes for about 8 years and they've never had snow on Christmas Day before. Have a great day, Crista xxx

Morning all, Happy Christmas to everyone. Turkey in the oven, all the vegetables ready in their pans and dishes , sausages to wrap in bacon then its all done. A breakfast of soft boiled eggs and croissants being eaten now and pressies to be opened yet. Have a peaceful and happy day. Love Elisabeth xx

Happy Christmas everyone, I'm sorry I didn't get back later yesterday, the time just flew by. This morning we went out for the fresh veg and bits that we had forgotten. Then Nick arrived home, he went out with some schoolfriends last night and ended up staying with one that has his own house. since then I have had a friend round and phone calls. Anyway I am now going to give Beckham a shower then I will have one too, so I may not not be on tomorrow but if I get chance I will look in because I know some people are on there own and some whose partners are working will be around too. Enjoy yourselves everyone Love June xx

Just had some time over before my son arrives! I baked bread today again and mince pies, cheese biscuits and a huge pan of fresh asparagus soup. I'm not cooking further today. We will have drinks soon and with all the odds and ends and a cup of soup feel we will have enough. Weather has been cold, windy, but sunny. Will keep this short, probably won't have time tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

*************************************************** WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS,WE WISH YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A *****************HAPPY NEW YEAR****************** HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - see you all soon:~) Yes Brenda this is such a lovely thread, thank you for starting it. Take care everyone. Love from Jude & Vic xxxxxxxx Hey my sister had a fabulous letter from my brother in USA, we have'nt seen him since he was 17yrs, he's now 44!!!